What are 3 differences between continental crust and oceanic crust?
The continental crust floats much more freely on the magma. The continental crust is much thicker when compared to the oceanic crust. It has a thickness ranging from 20 mi., which is about 35 km., on the plains, to as much as 40 mi., which is about 70 km., on the highest mountains.
What are two differences between oceanic crust and continental crust quizlet?
The oceanic crust is thinner and denser, and is similar in composition to basalt (Si, O, Ca, Mg, and Fe). The continental crust is thicker and less dense, and is similar to granite in composition (Si, O, Al, K, and Na).
What are the differences between oceanic and continental plates?
Oceanic plates are mafic in nature, composed of basalt rock and its coarse-grained equivalent, gabbro, both rich in iron, magnesium and calcium. In contrast, continental plates are felsic in nature, dominated by granitic rock with its abundant silica, aluminum, sodium and potassium.
What are the main differences between oceanic and continental lithosphere?
Oceanic lithosphere is typically about 50-100 km thick (but beneath the mid-ocean ridges is no thicker than the crust). The continental lithosphere is thicker (about 150 km). It consists of about 50 km of crust and 100 km or more of the uppermost mantle.
What is the difference in density of oceanic crust and continental crust?
Continental crust is broadly granitic in composition and, with a density of about 2.7 grams per cubic cm, is somewhat lighter than oceanic crust, which is basaltic (i.e., richer in iron and magnesium than granite) in composition and has a density of about 2.9 to 3 grams per cubic cm.
What is difference between oceanic crust and continental crust Why do we care about what type of crust covers a tectonic plate?
It is the solid rock layer upon which we live. It is either continental or oceanic. Continental crust is typically 30-50 km thick, whilst oceanic crust is only 5-10 km thick. Oceanic crust is denser, can be subducted and is constantly being destroyed and replaced at plate boundaries.
What is the difference between continental crust and continental plate?
continental crust, the outermost layer of Earth's lithosphere that makes up the planet's continents and continental shelves and is formed near subduction zones at plate boundaries between continental and oceanic tectonic plates. The continental crust forms nearly all of Earth's land surface.
What is the difference between oceanic crust and continental crust Why do we care about what type of crust covers a tectonic plate?
It is the solid rock layer upon which we live. It is either continental or oceanic. Continental crust is typically 30-50 km thick, whilst oceanic crust is only 5-10 km thick. Oceanic crust is denser, can be subducted and is constantly being destroyed and replaced at plate boundaries.
What is the difference between continental crust and oceanic crust in regards to their thicknesses and densities?
Continental crust is typically 40 km (25 miles) thick, while oceanic crust is much thinner, averaging about 6 km (4 miles) in thickness. The effect of the different densities of lithospheric rock can be seen in the different average elevations of continental and oceanic crust.
What is the difference between continental crust lithosphere and oceanic crust lithosphere?
Hence, oceanic lithosphere is much better defined seismologically than continental lithosphere. Velocity-depth profiles through the Earth's upper mantle do not define the top and bottom of the zones of rigid and viscous behaviour precisely, however, because the zones must have transitional boundaries.
Why continental and oceanic crusts differ in their density?
Because continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust it floats higher on the mantle, just like a piece of Styrofoam floats higher on water than a piece of wood does. The mantle, oceanic crust and continental crust have different densities because they are made of different kinds of rock with different densities.
What makes continental plates different than oceanic plates quizlet?
Oceanic and Continental crusts are alike because they both shift and move and grow. They differ by there rock types. Oceanic crust is made up of dense basalt while continental crust is made up of less dense granite. You just studied 2 terms!
What is the difference in density between oceanic and continental crust?
Continental crust is broadly granitic in composition and with a density of about 2.7 grams per cubic cm is somewhat lighter than oceanic crust which is basaltic (i.e. richer in iron and magnesium than granite) in composition and has a density of about 2.9 to 3 grams per cubic cm.
Why is the continental crust less dense than the oceanic crust?
Continental crust is less dense because of its composition. Continental crust is made up of felsic material (SiO4)– mainly granite. The density of continental crust is 2.9 g/cm^3. Oceanic crust, while thinner, is made of mafic materials (Fe, Mg)– mainly basalt.
In what ways are the two types of crust different?
Earth's crust is generally divided into older, thicker continental crust and younger, denser oceanic crust. The dynamic geology of Earth's crust is informed by plate tectonics. “Crust” describes the outermost shell of a terrestrial planet.
What is the difference between continental crust and oceanic crust in regards to their thicknesses and densities quizlet?
Oceanic crust is thinner and more dense. Continental crust is thicker and less dense. Difference in density is why oceanic crust subducts underneath continental crust.
How is oceanic and continental crust alike?
Layers that are less dense, such as the crust, float on layers that are denser, such as the mantle. Both oceanic crust and continental crust are less dense than the mantle, but oceanic crust is denser than continental crust. This is partly why the continents are at a higher elevation than the ocean floor.
What is the oceanic crust?
Oceanic crust is the part of the Earth's crust that makes up the seafloor. It's thinner, denser, and simpler in structure than the continental crust. Oceanic crust is also younger, on average; from its birth at a mid-ocean ridge to its end at a subduction zone is no more than 250 million years.
What is a continental crust?
continental crust, the outermost layer of Earth's lithosphere that makes up the planet's continents and continental shelves and is formed near subduction zones at plate boundaries between continental and oceanic tectonic plates. The continental crust forms nearly all of Earth's land surface.
How does the density of oceanic crust differ from that of continental crust Why is the difference important?
Because continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust it floats higher on the mantle, just like a piece of Styrofoam floats higher on water than a piece of wood does. The mantle, oceanic crust and continental crust have different densities because they are made of different kinds of rock with different densities.
Why do continental and oceanic crust act differently?
Continents do something different from oceanic crust. If you know Earth's density, they are too buoyant to sink compared to the heavier mantle rocks underneath. This is why continental crust floats on the surface of the mantle.
What is the continental crust made of?
Continental Crust Continental crust is mostly composed of different types of granites. Geologists often refer to the rocks of the continental crust as “sial.” Sial stands for silicate and aluminum, the most abundant minerals in continental crust.
What is the oceanic crust made of?
Oceanic Crust Oceanic crust, extending 5-10 kilometers (3-6 kilometers) beneath the ocean floor, is mostly composed of different types of basalts. Geologists often refer to the rocks of the oceanic crust as “sima.” Sima stands for silicate and magnesium, the most abundant minerals in oceanic crust.